Woodlands Primary Academy Nursery Review

Stories, rhymes and learning to get along give Woodlands’ early years provision its character. Blossom is the nursery class, alongside Acorns pre-school, within Woodlands Primary Academy in Oldham. This is a start within a primary school, with the nursery forming part of its early years provision.

At the Ofsted inspection on 11 and 12 March 2025, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Shared books and songs are concrete features of early learning here. In March 2025, children in the early years enjoyed stories and rhymes; those ready for the next step learned letters and their sounds quickly. The emphasis gives children an introduction to reading that starts with listening and joining in, with readiness determining when letter learning begins.

Learning alongside other children matters too. In March 2025, positive interaction was taught from the start of the early years. For a child beginning group education, learning how to relate to other children is part of the educational day alongside early reading.

The session pattern divides the day into morning and afternoon blocks. For children using the 30-hour early years offer, staff cover lunch through a rota. That arrangement connects the two sessions for children attending across lunchtime.

Speech and language support begins early. Children entering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are screened with Wellcomm and Blank Level Question materials. Interventions follow where appropriate, before referral to outside agencies. This gives staff a starting point for identifying communication needs and planning support.

Families help shape provision for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Parents can contribute to their child’s support plan, and termly Person Centred Review meetings revisit targets and progress. Where a child already has identified needs before joining, staff work with the family and professionals involved. The practical benefit is continuity between existing support and the child’s new setting.

Visual timetables are displayed in every classroom, with individual now-and-next boards used where needed to make the day easier to follow. Safeguarding concerns can be taken to the designated safeguarding lead through the main office; deputy leads cover when the lead is unavailable.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the local authority’s normal online primary application process and meet its closing date.

For entry in 2027–28, nursery attendance gives no Reception priority. Places are allocated using criteria covering care status, exceptional medical or social circumstances, siblings and proximity, with children whose EHCP names the academy admitted first. Families should therefore make their Reception application independently of their nursery arrangements.

Morning nursery sessions run from 9am to noon; afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Nursery application forms come from the main office, which can also arrange a visit to meet staff. Contact 0161 359 5698.

Working parents of three-year-olds who meet government criteria can access 30-hour funded places. Additional sessions carry charges, payable in advance; contact the school for current charges.

The school uniform combines dark green knitwear, grey bottoms and a white shirt or polo, with black footwear. Clothing should be labelled. The academy’s main entrance has step-free wheelchair access, a useful practical feature for families attending appointments or visits.